The Yukon Fish & Game Association (YFGA) has had an incredibly busy and successful year - one filled with exciting events, new partnerships, and meaningful progress across all our programs. From youth education and salmon conservation to hunter and angler training, community events, and policy initiatives, the YFGA continues to grow as a strong, united voice for conservation and responsible outdoor recreation in the Yukon.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners. Your continued support helps us deliver programs that connect Yukoners to the land, promote ethical hunting and angling practices, and ensure that our outdoor traditions and wildlife resources are protected for future generations.

What’s New and Exciting at the YFGA?

2025/2026 YFGA Truck Raffle – Win a 2026 Toyota Tacoma!

The YFGA is excited to announce our 2025/2026 Raffle! This is your chance to win a brand-new 2026 Toyota Tacoma, and other great prizes, while supporting conservation, education, and outdoor programs across the Yukon.

1st Prize - 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double Cab ($53,241.00)
2nd Prize – Air North Travel Certificate ($1600.00)
3rd Prize - Chieftain Energy Gift Card ($250)

Ticket price: $50/ticket
Tickets printed: 3000 tickets
Draw date: May 16, 2026, at 12:00PM
Draw location: 509 Strickland St, Whitehorse, YT
Raffle License No. 2025-093

Tickets are available online at RaffleBox (link below), with a draw date of May 16, 2026. Proceeds from this raffle directly fund YFGA initiatives including youth outdoor education, community conservation projects, and programs that help women and Yukon families connect with the land.

By purchasing a ticket, you’re not only entering to win an incredible prize, but you’re also helping the YFGA deliver programs that support youth, women, and families in strengthening their connection to the outdoors.

Purchase your tickets at the following link (or scan the QR code on the poster):
https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/yukon-fga

2026 Big Bull Night / Big Game and Conservation Award Nominations

We are proud to share that YFGA successfully delivered on bringing back Big Bull Night in 2025 after years of absence, and the event was a tremendous success. We received plenty of positive feedback from members who enjoyed reconnecting, sharing stories, and celebrating Yukon’s hunting community.

Building on that success, we are excited to announce that the 2026 Big Bull Night will be held on January 31, 2026, at the Elks Lodge in Whitehorse. This year’s event will once again bring members together to celebrate our unique way of life, learn about ethical and responsible hunting practices, and measure and score a variety of big game species harvested by members using Boone & Crockett methods.

The evening will feature workshops and demos from local outdoor educators, including a skinning workshop presented by the Yukon Trappers Association, a community meal, and many other engaging activities. Stay tuned for announcements related to the 2026 rules and nomination information.

YFGA Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser

The 2025 YFGA Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser was a fantastic evening, and it truly took a community to make it happen. A big shout out to YFGA Vice President Chris Sutton for taking the lead on organizing last year’s banquet - your dedication, commitment, and hard work made all the difference!

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the sponsors, donors, volunteers, chefs, and musicians who made the 2025 Banquet such a memorable and successful event. Your time, talent, and generosity made it all possible - we truly couldn’t have done it without you.

We received wonderful feedback from members following the event - two comments that stood out were:

“This is the best YFGA banquet I have attended in the last 15 years.”
“This banquet was the perfect event — don’t change a thing.”

Building on that enthusiasm, we’re excited to announce that the 2026 YFGA Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser is scheduled for April 4, 2026, at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. We aim to make this year’s event even better than last year’s, and to do that, we’ll once again need your help.

If you’re able to contribute wild game or fish donations for the meal, please reach out to us. Your contributions are what make this unique Yukon tradition possible.

Stay tuned for future announcements and ticket information about this revered event. We are looking forward to another incredible evening of celebrating community, conservation, and world class food with you all!

2026 Youth Outdoor Education Camp

The 2026 YFGA Youth Outdoor Education Camp was held at Lapie Lakes from June 28 to July 2, bringing together youth from across the Yukon for an unforgettable week of outdoor learning, adventure, and connection to the land. Throughout the week, participants took part in a variety of hands-on workshops and skills-based activities focused on conservation, outdoor safety, and land-based knowledge. Evenings at camp were spent around the fire, sharing stories and reflections, and creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

The YFGA extends a sincere thank you to staff members Emily Matisho and Katarina Anderson for organizing this year’s camp, and to Director Mitch Trottier for joining as a chaperone. Your time, expertise, and mentorship made this year’s camp possible, and you continue to inspire the next generation of the Yukon’s outdoor leaders and stewards!
The YFGA Youth Outdoor Education Camp represents one of the most meaningful ways the Association delivers on its mission to connect Yukoners with the land. Each year, the camp provides youth with hands-on opportunities to experience nature, develop outdoor skills, and learn about conservation in a supportive and engaging environment. Programs like this are essential in helping young people build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for Yukon’s wild spaces. Whether it’s learning how to light a campfire with flint and steel, field dress a big game animal, or safely paddle across Lapie Lake, these experiences instill a sense of stewardship and deep respect for wildlife and the environment.

Looking ahead, the YFGA is actively exploring land applications to establish a permanent home for the Youth Outdoor Education Camp. A dedicated site would allow us to expand programming, host more participants, and deliver year-round opportunities for youth to connect with the outdoors. We remain deeply committed to investing in youth education and creating opportunities that strengthen the connection between people and the outdoors. By inspiring the next generation of outdoor leaders, we ensure that Yukon’s conservation values and outdoor heritage continue to thrive for years to come.
On this note…we have an exciting announcement:

Partnership with Canadian Wildlife Federation on the Canadian Centre for Nature-Based Education

The YFGA is proud to announce a new partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) through the launch of the Canadian Centre for Nature-Based Education (CCNbE) - an ambitious national initiative that aims to make learning in nature a cornerstone of education across Canada.

The CCNbE brings together governments, charities, Indigenous communities, schools, and local organizations to ensure that all Canadians (especially youth) can experience the benefits of hands-on, nature-based learning. The initiative focuses on increasing access to outdoor education, supporting teachers and community leaders, and fostering a generation of Canadians who are connected to the land and inspired to protect it.

In October 2025, YFGA Executive Director Logan McKillop travelled to Ottawa, ON to represent the Yukon at the official launch of the Canadian Centre for Nature-Based Education, held at the Canadian Museum of Nature. The event brought together leaders from across the country who are working to strengthen connections between people and nature through education.

The YFGA is honoured to be part of this important movement and looks forward to contributing northern perspectives, on-the-land experience, and community partnerships to help shape a more sustainable and connected future for all Canadians.

1^st Annual YFGA Outdoor Expo

The YFGA is excited to announce that we have been hard at work preparing for the inaugural 2026 YFGA Outdoor Expo, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, right here in Whitehorse. This large-scale community event will bring together outdoor enthusiasts, conservation organizations, local businesses, and industry leaders for a full day celebrating the Yukon’s unique outdoor lifestyle. Visitors can expect an incredible lineup of vendors, demonstrations, workshops, and guest speakers covering everything from hunting and fishing to conservation, recreation, and wilderness safety. We’re also planning family-friendly activities, making this a can’t-miss event for everyone who enjoys the outdoors, whether you’re an experienced hunter, a new angler, or just someone who loves being out on the land.

Mark your calendars for May 2, 2026, and stay tuned for upcoming announcements about venue details, exhibitor applications, and sponsorship opportunities.

YFGA Remains Committed to Salmon Conservation

We had a great season at the Whitehorse Fish Ladder this year. A big thank-you goes out to our dedicated staff for their hard work and commitment throughout the summer.

As of September 6, 2025, a total of 800 Chinook salmon passed through the Fish Ladder, nearly double the number recorded at this time last year. While this is an encouraging sign for the future of Yukon River Chinook, overall numbers remain below historic averages, reminding us of the continued importance of conservation and collaborative stewardship.

Wolf Creek Salmon Fry Release

This spring, the YFGA hosted its annual salmon fry release at Wolf Creek, once again drawing families, youth, and other community members to this popular event. The event gave youth the chance to release salmon fry into the creek and learn about their life cycle and importance to Yukon’s ecosystems. It was a wonderful community gathering that celebrated stewardship, conservation, and our shared connection to the land and water. A special shout out to Ta'an Kwäch'än Council, Carcross/Tagish First Nation, the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc., and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for joining us and sharing your knowledge about salmon. Another special shout out to Riverdale Super A and Porter Creek Super A for their generous donation of the BBQ supplies and to Klondike Cakes for providing the salmon inspired cupcakes!

Wolf Creek Salmon Hike

This past summer, the YFGA hosted a family-friendly interpretive hike at Wolf Creek on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The event brought together community members of all ages to learn about the life cycle of Yukon salmon, their importance to the Yukon ecosystem, and the history of their journey through Wolf Creek. The guided hike offered participants a chance to get outside, explore the creek, and deepen their understanding of one of the Yukon’s most iconic species. The YFGA extends a thank you to everyone who joined us for this engaging and educational event.

Salmon Appreciation Day

On Saturday, August 23, YFGA proudly hosted Salmon Appreciation Day at the Whitehorse Fish Ladder. The day featured live music by Remy Rodden, hands-on activities for families, and educational booths from salmon conservation partners who shared their expertise on the challenges facing Yukon River salmon and ongoing recovery efforts. The event was very well attended and full of energy, a true celebration of community, learning, and the return of the salmon.

YFGA remains committed to salmon recovery and education, working alongside partners, schools, and the community to ensure that future generations can continue to witness and celebrate the return of Chinook salmon to Yukon waters.

Supporting Hunter and Angler Education Across the Yukon

The YFGA remains committed to supporting hunter and angler education throughout the territory. Over the past year, YFGA has proudly supported several local educators and organizations that deliver high-quality, hands-on learning experiences for Yukoners. These include Wild Place Adventures, Venture North, Dene Cha’niye – Indigenous Cultural Contracting, Yukon Unguided, and Fly Fish Yukon, each contributing to the growth of a strong and informed outdoor community. This past year, YFGA was also proud to donate the use of our equipment trailer to Porter Creek Secondary School for their annual bison hunting field trip. This long-standing program provides students with valuable hands-on learning experience in the field. In addition, YFGA was pleased to donate fly-fishing gear to Kwanlin Dün First Nation to support on-the-land programming, helping youth and community members learn fishing skills while connecting with culture and the environment.

Through supporting these workshops, the YFGA helps create opportunities for participants to gain practical field skills, build confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of conservation ethics, safe and respectful hunting practices, and responsible angling.

Improving Resident Hunting Opportunities

The YFGA continues to take a proactive and creative approach to improving hunting opportunities for Yukon residents. Over the past year, we have submitted several Regulation Change Proposals aimed at improving opportunities for resident hunters while ensuring wildlife populations are managed sustainably.

These proposals include:

• Removing the Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) for moose in the South Canol area.
• Implementation of additional Wildlife Act Permits for moose in the South Canol to expand opportunities for resident hunters.
• Removing the PHA for the Finlayson Caribou herd.
• Removing the PHA for moose in the Sifton–Miners Range.

In addition to these submissions, the YFGA prepared and submitted a Discussion Note to the Minister of Environment and the Premier of Yukon proposing the creation of a Special Minister’s License and Special Premier’s License. These proposed Special Licenses are innovative conservation tools that are designed to generate new funding for Yukon-based wildlife management and habitat restoration projects. These proposed licenses would be administered collaboratively between the Department of Environment and the YFGA, with revenues directed toward conservation projects, population surveys, and educational initiatives that benefit both Yukon’s wildlife and residents alike. The concept is modeled after successful conservation license programs in other jurisdictions and aims to increase resources for wildlife management while promoting public engagement in ethical and sustainable hunting.

Remember the TIPP Program

The Turn In Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) program is an important tool for protecting Yukon’s wildlife, fish, and natural environment. It allows residents to report any illegal hunting, fishing, or environmental activity that threatens the integrity of our land and wildlife resources. If you see or suspect poaching, illegal harvesting, or pollution, please report it immediately by calling 1-800-661-0525. All calls are confidential, and your information could make a real difference in helping conservation officers protect Yukon’s natural heritage…cash rewards are available for valuable information.

YFGA Merchandise Coming Soon

The Yukon Fish & Game Association is currently working on developing a new line of YFGA merchandise…just in time for the holidays! We’re exploring a range of items that reflect Yukon’s outdoor heritage and the spirit of our membership. Whether you’re looking for a gift idea or something to show your YFGA pride, stay tuned for updates on when merchandise becomes available. We hope to have some of the items ready in time for Christmas!

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you own a business in the Yukon? Or know someone who does who may be interested in supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, and community-based programming?

The YFGA is seeking corporate partners who want to support the important work we are doing to strengthen Yukon’s outdoor community. Sponsorship helps us deliver high-quality programs and events that connect youth, families, hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists with the land and each other.

Current sponsorship opportunities include:

• Big Bull Night
• Wild Game Banquet & Fundraiser
• YFGA Outdoor Expo
• Youth Outdoor Education Camp
• Yukon Outdoor Women Program (which we are currently working to bring back)

Whether you are passionate about supporting youth on the land, advancing conservation education, or celebrating Yukon’s outdoor traditions, we would love to work with you.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about available sponsorship packages, please reach out. Your support makes a meaningful difference in helping us build a stronger, more connected outdoor community across the Yukon.

Speaking of Corporate Sponsors…let’s hear a quick word from Air North, who generously donated a $1600 travel certificate to the YFGA for our Raffle:

A word from Air North

“On board Air North, you’ll experience genuine Yukon hospitality from the moment you step on board. Fly between the Yukon and British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Ontario on comfortable aircraft—always with checked and carry-on luggage included at no extra cost. Enjoy first-class service in every seat, with a light meal, premium coffee, refreshing beverages, and our signature warm cookie. Plus, now offering seasonal non-stop flights between Vancouver and Yellowknife, twice weekly. Discover more routes and Getaways at www.flyairnorth.com.”

Exciting Updates for YFGA Members

We are pleased to share that printed membership cards will soon be available for all YFGA members. These cards will make it easier for members to identify themselves as part of Yukon’s outdoor community and access exclusive benefits. We’re also currently negotiating new and improved member benefits with local and territorial partners, including discounts, special offers, and unique opportunities that add even more value to your YFGA membership. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months as we roll out the new cards and announce the full list of member benefits. As always, thank you for being part of the YFGA community and for supporting conservation, education, and outdoor traditions across the Yukon.

Hearing from Our Members

Over the past several months, the Yukon Fish & Game Association (YFGA) has been meeting and communicating with members to hear concerns related to the composition of the Board of Directors and conflicts that resident hunters have been experiencing on the land with commercial interest groups. Please know that we take these concerns seriously - our membership is the most important part of the YFGA, and your voices guide the work that we do. The YFGA has now begun a file on these discussion topics to ensure that member concerns are documented, tracked, and addressed appropriately. If any member has questions, experiences, or perspectives they wish to share with us, we strongly encourage you to reach out. Your feedback is greatly valued and continues to shape the direction and priorities of the YFGA.

To Conclude

Thank you for being part of the YFGA community. Your participation, whether volunteering, attending events, donating wild game, purchasing raffle tickets, or sharing feedback, makes our work possible. We’re proud to champion conservation, ethical hunting and angling, youth programming, and community connection across the territory. Stay tuned for more updates and please don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas or concerns. See you at Big Bull Night, the Banquet, and the Outdoor Expo!

All the best,

Logan McKillop
Executive Director
executivedirector@yukonfga.ca

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